Coronavirus Queensland: Latest news and updates on virus pandemic

Queensland has recorded 38 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the state’s total to 259. It comes as the National Cabinet meets tonight to potentially consider a nationwide lockdown of non-essential services.

THERE have been 38 new cases of coronavirus in Queensland in the past 24 hours, taking the state’s total to 259.

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It comes as the National Cabinet meeting has been brought forward to tonight to consider a nationwide shutdown of non-essential services.

The NSW and Victorian governments are leading the push for the lockdown.

Meanwhile, South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall has announced the closure of the state’s borders, effective from 4pm Tuesday.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the majority of Queensland’s new cases were concentrated in the south east of the state and among those who have returned from overseas.

People who are over 60 and have underlying health conditions have been told to pay particular attention to social distancing rules.

SEE ALL OF QUEENSLAND’S COVID-19 CASES IN DETAIL

Gold Coast theme parks closed, staff stood down

Village Roadshow has announced its theme parks will close immediately and indefinitely, with “many” staff temporarily stood down.

Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Paradise Country and Topgolf closed this afternoon and will provide an update on the operation of the parks on March 31.

In a statement, Village Roadshow said the decision to close the theme parks was not made lightly.

“As a result of this closure, unfortunately many team members have been temporarily stood down during this period,” the statement reads.

“Senior Executives salaries have also been reduced.

“The decision has been made to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the business, and most importantly to secure future jobs for our team members.”

Village Roadshow said team members were being provided access to their leave entitlements.

Sea World Resort and Village Roadshow Studios will continue to operate.

Hamilton Island closed for business

Tourism hotspot Hamilton Island will stop welcoming guests from tomorrow, following the government’s announcement to cancel all non-essential travel.

In a statement provided to The Courier-Mail, Hamilton Island Enterprises said the decision was temporary.

“Due to these circumstances, Hamilton Island has had to make the difficult decision to temporarily stand down areas of its business operations,” the statement reads.

Hamilton Island Enterprises said they will progressively resume duties for staff who have been stood down as soon as the Australian Government allows businesses to recommence normal trading and as guest numbers return.

Long queues at closing libraries

DRAMA spread from the pages to the pavement, with fantastical scenes at Brisbane libraries as crowds of avid readers converged for the final day of borrowing.

A line of bookworms was seen snaking through the foyer of Brisbane City Library this morning, ahead of city wide library closures tomorrow due to coronavirus safety concerns.

Brisbane City Council announced their plans to close the facilities last week in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.

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A long queue outside Brisbane City Library ahead of its indefinite closure tomorrow.

It seemed that the rush for book borrowing trumped social distancing concerns, as crowds gathered outside the City – making the most of increased borrowing capacity and extended due dates.

Borrowing limits have been tripled – with patrons permitted to hire up to 60 items – while due dates have been extended to June 30, Brisbane City Council announced in a release last week.

The council’s online library will continue operating – offering more than 150,000 ebooks, Audiobooks and eMagazines as well as music and video streaming services.

SOUTH BANK WARNING

BRISBANE City Council wishes to advise residents and visitors to reconsider their plans to visit South Bank pool and playgrounds because of the national social distancing directive.

Crowd monitoring is in place at South Bank’s pools and playgrounds and public announcements are being made via its speaker system to manage numbers.

People are being urged not to visit South Bank Parklands. Picture: Glenn Hunt

South Bank’s pools and playgrounds will be closed if numbers exceed 500 and Queensland Police Service officers and South Bank Parklands staff will be monitoring crowd numbers to ensure the national directive is followed.

Brisbane City Council reminds the community that these restrictions apply across all spaces in Brisbane.

For more information, visit www.health.gov.au